Horsebox trailer braking system

[LukeClark]

Hi all, I was wondering if I can call upon your know how. I've bought a Twin axle Sinclair horsebox and trailer. Unladen weight 750kg laden 2000kg.

On the GOV website it says that any trailer laden over 750kg needs a braking system.

My question is this....does mine have one? I'll attach some photos for your opinion.

Seems to have the brake away cable but not sure how that brakes the trailer?

Would appreciate your experience!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Ffermer Bach]

when you apply the car brakes, the trailer pushes forwards into the hitch, the "telescopic" part of the hitch (hidden under the black rubber boot) moves back, this works on a lever to pull cables and apply the brakes. There is a damper in this telescopic part to stop the hitch banging back and forth as you put the power on and off. The breakaway cable is there to apply the brakes if the trailer falls off the hitch. There is a system to stop the brakes applying as you reverse (as this would compress the hitch)

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Forgot to add, the bowden cables are notorious for rusting up and not working, and the damper often fails too after a while. I remember talking to someone who did a lot of deliveries with his flatbed trailer and he said in the workshop every month to service the braking system!

 

[LukeClark]

Ah ok thanks that's really helpful. Was just worried it didn't have a braking system but glad it does. Appreciate your help!

 

[Timbo]

Ah ok thanks that's really helpful. Was just worried it didn't have a braking system but glad it does. Appreciate your help!

Well it does have the mechanical parts needed for brakes, whether they work or not is another matter.

 

[davidroberts30]

Ah ok thanks that's really helpful. Was just worried it didn't have a braking system but glad it does. Appreciate your help!

Dont take this wrong but you think they dont work and your asking this question
Go see a trailer mechanic and ask them to check it over

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Dont take this wrong but you think they dont work and your asking this question
Go see a trailer mechanic and ask them to check it over

I would tend to agree, I think a trailer should have a braking "mot" every year, went to pick up some tack sheep years and years ago, trailer full of sheep, wet greasy road, slight bend, braked, trailer brakes did not work and I was slowly pushed into the ditch! I now tow a trailer like the most annoying sunday driver ever!

 

[Dry Rot]

Similar to FB above though in my case the trailer came off the hitch as the socket had worn bigger than the ball. The trailer flew past me and through hedge, then over a ditch. Fortunately, no other traffic or pedestrians involved or it could have been nasty.

First, the ball hitch on the vehicle had worn so the hitch could be lifted off the ball on the vehicle and, second, the brakes were not adjusted correctly so although the brake away cable was intact, when it attempted to apply the brakes, they didn't work.

Adjusting the brakes is not something anyone can do, it takes an experienced mechanic or someone could die, not to mention your horse. GET IT CHECKED!

 

[LukeClark]

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's booked in for a check

 

[Courier]

I would tend to agree, I think a trailer should have a braking "mot" every year, went to pick up some tack sheep years and years ago, trailer full of sheep, wet greasy road, slight bend, braked, trailer brakes did not work and I was slowly pushed into the ditch! I now tow a trailer like the most annoying sunday driver ever!

In NZ even the smallest unbraked trailers have their own registration number and an annual W(arrant) O(f) F(itness) test.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

In NZ even the smallest unbraked trailers have their own registration number and an annual W(arrant) O(f) F(itness) test.

I am pretty sure it was the same in Denmark too

 

[Robt]

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's booked in for a check

Again, dont take this wrong, Do you have correct licence to tow that trailer if indeed you are going to tow it yourself? when i did my test they asked me to explain how the brakes work and to demonstrate they work.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Again, dont take this wrong, Do you have correct licence to tow that trailer if indeed you are going to tow it yourself? when i did my test they asked me to explain how the brakes work and to demonstrate they work.

could well be older, when I did mine there was no mention of trailers, it was just presumed that if you could drive a car, trailer too would be easy!

 

[roscoe erf]

does the handbrake work

 

[Dry Rot]

Will the horse load?

 

[Mur Huwcun]

Will the horse load?

It’s not dead in the stable is it….….

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

does the handbrake work

FFS don't leave it parked in the yard with the handbrake on for weeks/months.

Just chock the wheels and put a pair of wheel locks on if you live within 200 miles of members of the travelling community.

 

[roscoe erf]

FFS don't leave it parked in the yard with the handbrake on for weeks/months.

Just chock the wheels and put a pair of wheel locks on if you live within 200 miles of members of the travelling community.

if the handbrake works there is a good chance the brakes work where the f**k did I suggest leaving it on